Chemotherapy

chemotherapy is the systemic treatment of cancer with chemical i.e. drugs. Here the use of antineoplastic drugs to promote tumour cells destruction by interfering with cellular function and reproduction. It includes the use of various therapeutic agents and hormones.
The goal of chemotherapy is to destroy as many tumour cells as possible with minimal effect on healthy cells. It can be used for cure, control and palliation. The objective of the chemotherapy is to reduce the number of cancer cells present in the primary tumour site(s) and metastatic tumour site(s). Several factors will determine the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy are

1. Mitotrio rate of the tissue from which the tumour arises. The more rapid the mitotic rate, the greater response to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for acute leukaemia, choriocarcinoma of the placenta, wilms' tumour and neuroblastoma.

2. Size Of Tumour: The smaller the number of cancer cells, the greater the response to chemotherapy.

3. Age Of The Tumour: The younger tumour, the greater the response to chemotherapy.

4. Location Of The Tumour: Certain anatomic sites provide a protected environments from the effects of chemotherapy.

5. Presence Of Resistant Tumour Cells: Mutation of cancer cells within the tumour mass can result in varient cells that are resistant to chemotherapy.

6.  Physiologic and Psychologic Status of the Host: A state of optimum health and positive attitude will allow better withstand aggressive chemotherapy.

CHEMOTHERAPEUTIC DRUGS

1.  Alklating agent
2.   Antimetabolites
3.   Antitumour Antibiotics
4.   Hormonal Agents
5.   Vinca Alkaloids
6.   Epipodophyllotoxins
ADMINISTRATION OF CHEMOTHERAPY
chemotherapy can be administered by several routes

• Oral
• Intramuscular 
• Intravenous
• Intracavitary
• Intraarterial
• Perfusion
• Continuous Infusion
• Subcutaneous
• Topical
• Intraperitoneal